Stacey Abrams swiftly dashed Democratic hopes she would run for the Senate in the open seat created by the retirement of the GOP’s Johnny Isakson.
After narrowly losing the 2018 Georgia gubernatorial race, Abrams, 45, became a national figure with her statements about voter suppression and claims Republicans had stolen the election. She has been floated as a possible vice-presidential running mate for the Democrats in 2020, especially if a white male secures the presidential nomination.
“Our thoughts are with Senator Isakson and his family,” an Abrams representative said in a statement. “Leader Abrams’ focus will not change: she will lead voter protection efforts in key states across the country, and make sure Democrats are successful in Georgia in 2020.”
“While she will not be a candidate herself,” the statement said, “she is committed to helping Democratic candidates win both Senate races next year.”
Isakson said he was unable to continue work in the Senate because of his Parkinson’s disease.
“With the mounting health challenges I am facing, I have concluded that I will not be able to do the job over the long term in the manner the citizens of Georgia deserve. It goes against every fiber of my being to leave in the middle of my Senate term, but I know it’s the right thing to do on behalf of my state,” Isakson said.
Statement from my spokesman: pic.twitter.com/0smIAb5ptA
— Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) August 28, 2019
After losing the governor’s race in 2018 to Republican Brian Kemp, Abrams accused the state of implementing voter suppression tactics. As a result, Abrams started Fair Fight, an voting rights organizations that “encourages turnout in order to secure the voting rights of all Georgians.”
